Readiness Program Manager Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY

The New Product Development Program Manager will lead the development and release of advanced integrated edge data center systems, including next-generation platforms which combine power, thermal, controls, and embedded firmware into cohesive, scalable infrastructure solutions.

This role is responsible for managing global and regional New Product Development and Introduction (NPDI) programs spanning complex hardware-centric systems with embedded firmware, connectivity, and service enablement. The Program Manager will drive execution from initial concept through system integration, validation, and controlled market release, ensuring delivery of fully functional, field-ready solutions that meet performance, reliability, and customer requirements.

The position operates at the system and platform level, coordinating across mechanical, electrical, firmware, and digital domains to deliver tightly integrated products. It combines strategic leadership with hands-on program execution to manage multiple workstreams across the product lifecycle, ensuring alignment across engineering, operations, and commercial teams.

In this role, the Program Manager will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders-including engineering, operations, sales, and marketing-to ensure seamless coordination and execution of all development phases. Success requires strong leadership, the ability to manage complexity across multidisciplinary teams, and a solid understanding of edge data center infrastructure systems and their embedded control and management layers, enabling efficient execution and delivery of high-value, mission-critical solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Program Leadership: Lead and manage global and regional programs within the integrated edge infrastructure systems portfolio, ensuring all timelines, deliverables, and budgetary requirements are met. Provide strategic direction for complex, multi-domain system development programs spanning mechanical, electrical, thermal, and embedded firmware components, and foster a collaborative, system-focused execution environment. 
• Own DaytoDay Execution: Own day-to-day execution of assigned programs, including maintaining integrated schedules and tracking deliverables across hardware engineering, firmware, systems integration, quality, operations, and commercial teams. Drive alignment and closure of open actions across tightly coupled system workstreams, ensuring readiness for system-level builds, integration events, and validation milestones.
• Comprehensive Planning & Execution: Develop and maintain detailed program schedules using enterprise tools (e.g., Smartsheet), allocate resources, and monitor progress through structured execution reviews and milestone health indicators. Oversee all phases of the system development lifecycle, including design, subsystem integration, full system validation, and controlled field release. Ensure compliance with NPDI phase-gate processes, with a strong focus on system integration readiness, cross-domain dependencies, and platform maturity. Manage NPDI artifacts, gate readiness, and corrective action and recovery plans with a system-level perspective.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify risks and challenges across multi-disciplinary system development efforts, including integration risks, cross-functional dependencies, supply chain constraints, and validation gaps. Develop and implement mitigation strategies that maintain program momentum and protect key system milestones. Own schedule slip reporting with clear root cause analysis tied to system-level issues, along with documented recovery actions and communication to leadership.
• Stakeholder Communication: Deliver clear, concise, and actionable program updates and insights to stakeholders through established governance forums (e.g., PSRs, cadence calls, leadership reviews). Communicate system status, integration progress, and platform readiness, tailoring messaging for senior leadership, technical teams, and external partners. Prepare and maintain standardized communications including executive summaries, decision requests, risk dashboards, and action logs focused on overall system delivery.
• Problem Solving & Creative Solutions: Balance business and technical requirements to drive solutions that meet both operational needs and system constraints. Act as the primary integrator across hardware, firmware, controls, and operations, resolving cross-functional conflicts, integration challenges, prioritization issues, and resource constraints that impact delivery of cohesive, field-deployable systems.
• Execution & Governance: Own and maintain program execution systems, including schedules, action trackers, and decision records, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all program data. Enforce a consistent program operating rhythm, including preparation and facilitation of meetings and closure of assigned actions. Maintain program documentation repositories and ensure all artifacts are audit-ready and reflect the state of system development and integration.
• Success criteria: Success in this role is defined by predictable execution of complex system-level programs, transparent communication of system risks and readiness, disciplined NPDI gate performance, and on-time delivery of fully integrated, validated infrastructure platforms to committed milestones.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of Phase-Gate NPDI processes and methodologies. 
• Experience with edge data center products is highly desirable.
• Leadership capabilities that foster teamwork, accountability, and problem-solving across diverse, global teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a proactive, self-starting mindset.
• Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and change management.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline; equivalent work experience will be considered.
• 3-7 years of program management experience in environments delivering integrated infrastructure systems, embedded platforms, industrial equipment, or similar hardware-centric solutions, with a demonstrated track record of executing complex development programs.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), CAPM, PMI-ACP, or an equivalent certification is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in project management and execution tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint, with the ability to establish and maintain scalable program tracking mechanisms. 
• Experience managing firmwarecentric or hybrid programs with frequent iteration, phased release models, and evolving requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in matrixed, globally distributed teams, driving accountability without direct authority.

TIME TRAVEL REQUIRED

• 15-20% travel domestically and internationally required, with occasional participation in global meetings outside normal working hours.